I have loved dolls, history, and the Victorian Era since I was little and can credit my grandmother for that. As a young girl she gave me a Godey’s Fashion print for August 1870 from my great, great Aunt Flossie. I was captivated by the dresses and became hooked. I just love to research everything and anything about the Victorian Era. I also love to design Victorian dolls. I hope you enjoy my Victorian Dolls, Victorian Traditions,The Victorian Era, and Me blog.

According to their description: Wax dolls have been made from very early times — by the ancient Romans, for example, on through the first quarter of the twentieth century. This wax doll was probably made in England, which was noted for its wax dolls in the last half of the nineteenth century. This doll dates from the 1870s, and her elaborate costume is typical of the period. The dress is of blue taffeta trimmed with white organdy lace. The doll's childlike face and hairstyle might seem better suited to a child's body, but the true child doll was not yet common. Not until the 1880s was there a change from predominantly adult dolls to dolls representing children and babies. Many collectors still prefer dolls with features of a child but dressed as an adult.

According to their description: This beautiful wax doll of about 1871 is named "Belle Hervey." She has real hair embedded in her wax head. This was an expensive process, characteristic only of luxury dolls. Belle's arms and legs are also wax, while her torso is made of cloth. Her eyes are glass. The overdress with postillion is of black taffeta trimmed with pale pink silk ribbon and black lace; there are pink buttons on the basque, or bodice, and the shoes are bright red and buttoned. Her underclothes are trimmed with bands of tucked muslin and lace; there is a pink edge on the dainty lace hose.

The two dolls above were definitely beautiful wax dolls. It would have been nice to have seen the actual dolls. I decided I had to know more about wax dolls in general. Here's what I found out:

Germany began making wax dolls in the 17th century, but they didn't really become popular until the beginning of the 19th century. English doll makers started putting glass and china eyes in their wax dolls heads.

It seems that between 1870 and 1900 some English companies started adding wax over composition for doll heads and limbs with stuffed cloth bodies.

As far as wax dolls are concerned supposedly there are 3 types of wax dolls: poured wax dolls ( from ancient times until the 1800's), wax-over dolls (1800's until the 1900's), and reinforced wax dolls (from 1860 until 1890). If you would like to know more about the three types of wax dolls the Small Treasures Doll Collectors Association has an article entitled "Complete History of Wax Dolls" on their website.

Also, according to their article: Madame Augusta Montanari may be the best known wax doll-maker of all time, but not much is known about her or her wax sculpture studio. We do know that she and her poured wax works first attracted attention at London’s Crystal Palace Exposition in 1851. There she and her winning exhibit of dolls created a sensation that led to imitation, the sincerest form of flattery.

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia.com

The Victorians had an unusual mourning practice involving wax dolls. They would create a mourning doll as a keepsake to remember young children who had passed away. Families who could afford it would have a wax effigy made of the child which would be dressed in the child's clothing. Tufts of the child's hair would also be used to make the doll more realistic. They would put the effigy doll on display at the wake, sometimes they would leave it at the grave site, and sometimes they would keep them as a keepsake. This practice actually dates back to the Romans.

According to the description under the photo: English, Circa 1850-1860. This is a rare 21" antique doll marked Montanari, still retaining its original "Montanari" ink signature on the lower front torso on its original cloth body, superior modeling of poured wax shoulder head with a very expressive face, poured wax limbs, original inserted blond human hair, blue set glass eyes, stunning silk costume and hat (possibly original). From a private collection. Was for sale on Debra's Dolls and Collectible Dolls - $4,950.

According to their description: 26" Poured wax shoulder head depicting a round-faced child,blue inset eyes with heavily-modeled eyelids,delicate inserted lashes,closed mouth with defined space between the lips,defined ears,delicate blonde hair inserted into scalp,glazed muslin torso and upper limbs,stitch-jointed upper legs,grommet-edged sew holes with original cord attachments. Condition: generally excellent,some hair sparseness,quarter-size reglue at back sew hole. Comments: English, probably Pierotti,and believed to be from the series of Royal Babies offered by Pierotti beginning in 1849,to celebrate the young children of the beloved Queen Victoria. Value Points: outstanding quality of sculpting depicting a gentle-faced child,fine original finish and painting,original body,exquisite original bonnet and matching bodice. Realized Price: $2,500

According to their description: 18th century Continental Wax (attr. Augsburg) featuring a poured wax head with much character, on a hemp-covered wire armature that is fitted with carved wood arms and feet. Beautifully costumed in period silks, this older lady of nobility is suitable for use in an early dollhouse, or vignette. Measures: 9 1/2" tall

I just love her face and outfit. She's really quite amazing. Don't you think?

According to their description: 25-1/2" German wax-over Papier-mâché with wonderful bright blue sleep-eyes, lovely painting, pierced ears, and her original wig. On her original body with wax-over limbs including fabulous molded high-button boots, she wears a classic drop waist dress of navy silk faille with details that include a cream faille sash, tatted lace, and red silk bows. Her matching chapeau is the perfect finishing touch on this charming early child.

While, generally, wax dolls are no longer made you have to admit that when they were made they were quite beautiful. Gotta love the beauty of wax.

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The Victorian Era

The Victorian Era was from 1837 to 1901 during which Queen Victoria of England reigned. It was a time of privilege, elegance, design, traditions, family values, etiquette, grace and elegance. The emphasis on family, Victorian houses, Victorian culture and society, Victorian jewelery, and Victorian fashions will never be forgotten.

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My Victorian Doll and Crafts Pinterest Board

I just LOVE everything and anything Victorian Cottage, Shabby Chic or Cottage. I especially love watching video's, reading tutorials, patterns, articles, and how-to's on making Victorian dolls & crafts. I hope you like some of the ones I've found.

My Victorian Fashions Pinterest Board

The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from June 20, 1837 until her death on January 22, 1901. I for one am fascinated by Victorian Fashions and LOVE seeing them on display. Here's a few I'd LOVE to see.

My French Fashion Doll Collection Pinterest Board

According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art - This collection is a unique representation of the evolution of French fashion from 1705 to 1909. Please visit http://www.metmuseum.org or click on any of the images above for more information on this amazing collection.

My Historic Periods Fashion Pinterest Board

I LOVE Victorian fashions so I have a separate board for those. However, I also LOVE historic period fashions. Here's a few of my favorites.

My Historical Fashion Periods Timeline

I created this timeline as a tool to help me understand what periods the fashions I like might fall into when I see different styles. I am far from and will never claim to be any kind of an expert on historical fashion periods. My timeline is being included in my sidebar as a personal reference tool for me. Something I can learn from, something I can update, something changeable if incorrect, and something I can update from time to time.

I think you all know that I, personally, love faceless dolls. Victorians, primitives, colonial, prairie dolls, rag dolls, or country style dolls. It doesn't matter. I love them all.

In fact, I created a video to reflect my feelings about faceless dolls which is: "Beauty lies not only in what is seen, but what is imagined. I believe the essence of a dolls faceless beauty should determine her personality."

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